uests of the fifth annual WinterBloom Gala enjoyed an evening of dancing, gaming tables and a live auction to raise money for programs in Rowan County that serve children and people with disabilities.

Held at the elegant and historic Boxwood Lodge in Mocksville on April 5, the event hosted 372 people and raised funds to provide scholarships for area high school students to attend the Broyhill Leadership Conference this summer, scholarships for students to attend Salisbury Academy, educational technology for Salisbury Academy and support for Rowan Vocational Opportunities.
For several years, WinterBloom has sent students from Rowan-Salisbury high schools to the Broyhill Leadership Conference in Charlotte. Held on the campus of Wingate University, the Broyhill Leadership Conference is a five-day event for students in 10th through 12th grade who aspire to become effective leaders to strengthen the nation and build a better world tomorrow.
WinterBloom also contributes scholarship funds for students to attend Salisbury Academy.
“The generosity of individuals and corporations who provide scholarship assistance for Salisbury Academy students is heart-warming,” said Head of School Diane Fisher. “The students who receive the assistance and their families are so very appreciative of the opportunities available to them at Salisbury Academy. The entire school benefits from having more students and more diversity. Scholarship funding makes a real difference to all of us.
“I want thank everyone who contributes, and assure them that we are good stewards of all we are given.”
The event raises funds to support Salisbury Academy’s Fund-A-Need campaign, which this year will purchase an iPad classroom set and support other technology needs.
The event also raises money for Rowan Vocational Opportunities, a non-profit rehabilitation facility with the purpose of providing work adjustment, vocational training and long term or transitory employment and life skills for people with disabilities.
Guests of the gala enjoyed gaming tables, dancing and more. Attendees had the opportunity to bid during the live auction on items such as a luxurious trip to Italy, deep sea fishing off the North Carolina coast, and paintings by William M. Witenberg from New York City. The after-auction festivities continued with dancing to music by Soul Play.
To learn more about WinterBloom, visit www.winterbloomgala.com.

Salisbury Academy is an independent school, for junior kindergarten through 8th grade, providing an innovative learning environment that prepares students to enter their future world as leaders.
For more information about Salisbury Academy, visit www.SalisburyAcademy.org or call 704-636-3002.